Number or letter carrying device



E. A. CROSBY I NUMBER 0R LETTER CARRYING DEVICE June 6, 1950 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 8, 1946 PGEA I h ATTY.

INVENTOR.'

C R 03 BY EDWARD A.

June 6, 1950 E. A. CROSBY NUMBER 0R LETTER CARRYING DEVICE 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 8, 1946 IN VE N TOR.-

ATTY.

Patented June 6, 1950 TED STATES 6 Claims.

' This invention relates "to an improved "structure s'ystemorinethod'ofassembling and holding members "carrying thereon letters,niimbersgdes'igns, symbols "or other characters. Letters, nuinbers'an'dcharacters; or combinations there- "o'f,ar'e nowused in many places to'elesignate vari- 'ou'sbb-jects' and 'a'refiis'ed'in" many places "andfor many purposes, such as for automobile license ifr'lateahouse"rnnnbers, "street and other signs, 'n'a -mepiates Tor ofiices,"institutions,- estates, "rail- *way cars, etc. Where a large number ofsimilar signs orplates-are-to'be-used, -it -is desirable tohave3a-st'rueture -o'f neat-and pleasing-appearance in wh-ich -t he'desired combinations c'an-be*e'as'ily quickly secured and' assembledin-one' unit, saiduifi't prferabl y 'comprising a plate or plates having a fiat surface engaging the supporting faee ena being capable ofbeing easily m'a'intained inproper and per'manent position.

'*It is an object er this invention' to providean 'Xtrein'ely simpleandhighly-'eificint asseni'bly 'of numbers letters and other che;x'acte'1'"s which can be asily andquickly put-togetherand-whichivill beable and se'c'urely held in ass'n-rbled kipos' Ion. I

neuter-objector the invention toprov ide 'siic assembly comprising aholder pl'ate arid lie or more character platea said holder plate rieonstr ueted and arranged toreceive the hai' aeter plats so'that thedesired character late or plates may be easily and quickly placed inpositfininthe-holder plate-said plates having oojoperating pai ts forholding the same in proper and asserhbled position. Character plates mayea'rr y one or more charactersand'these may be of tlfie' same or-'dilferent sizes and said holder plate --i's p1 eferably constructed so'as' 'to fit flat against a supporting surface.

It is a -further object of the invention tapro- -vide a letter; numberor symbol assembly device *comprising a holder plate which preferablyhas -an' outer portion "disposed-in substantially the same plane andwhich hasembossed or outwardly pressed portions w-ithin'said outerportionforming' 'one or more panels, said panels having a lowersubstantially horizontal surface having a "-slot extending therethrough,together with a character'plate for each of saidipanels adapted to bebrought into po'sition'substantially parallel to said holderplateand inclose proximity thereto, said characterplate having a'tongue at its-bottom adapted to be received in said'slot' and "having shouldersadaptedto be supported upon "said horizontal surface; the top portion'of "said It; is niore specifically an ob'ject of thisfirivten- "tio'ntoprevidea letterand/or numberas'sembly "devi6e"comprising"a'holderplate having arr-outer ,p'orti'ondi'sposed substantially inthe"sarnefplane and "having a -"embossed ""dl outwardly pressedportion"foi'mdthere'on within said 'outer portion, "the same "preferablybeing continuous so as to torn-l" onebr rri'or'e' pane-likepartsfeach'of'which has "a 1 lower horizontal surface *with a sliiv'ex-10 tending Vertically'therethrou'gh' and' transversem fthereef, saidli'oldenplate having an epenmg "'the'rethrou'ghadjacent I the *top 6f-ea ch 'df said panel parts, together with a character plate "adaptedtocarryletters, nuinbers' or sy in bols, the ea eing of a width to fitin saidpa'nel arts extend thrbtlgh said-openin saidcharacterplatehavingue t its -bott om'-' adapted to be rec'eived --sai d "slotand h'avingsli oulders at "the side ef said tongue adapted to be supported 1 -saitllrorizontal 'surrace, the top 6f s'aid character i'iplate being held inpos'itio'r'i by ti-1e top Apart or "said embossed These andbther objectsand advantages'of the i n'venti'on will -be fully 'set forth inthefollowing description made in connection-With the accompanying "drawingsin-which like reference charac-tars referto similar- 'parts throughoutthe several vie'ws and inwhich:

Fig- L is a'viewin front elevation of---thede'vice,

one -charaoter i plate being omitted;

Fig. 2 isa vertical section taken 0I1-"1 l-I1B-2-Z of Fig. 1; E igl 3is-a'vertical section taken on line 3-3 F'ig. flisahorizontalsection-taken 0111111431 4 of 1; V

Fig. 5iis a view infr'ont elevation of a character. fpla'te used g I V40 [Fig-'6 is 'a' vrticafse'ction'talinon li'ne"6'fi of Figf'fi;

"Fig. 'T'i's aiparti'al"perspective view of 'a lioldr "fFigfB"is"a"'vertical sectiontakenbn "line ll- 3 oi Fig.7,"al1"ofSaid'sections'being takenas inditie is a-yiew infront'elevationof a modified fdrrn o he device;

-Fig. '-10is*aview in front "elevation of "another -"-=modi'fication;

Fig. '11 is a perspective view sh'owing -hoyv a "cliaracter plate may beremoved and Fig. 12 is 'a-view similar-to view-1 I 'showing 'h owthemharactert plate may 'be s'Wting Out of 17116 charalcterzplatebeingheld-in position-by said 'holde'r plate.

en'i'bossectportion.

Referring to the drawings, a device is show'n comprising a plate 20.Said plate will be designated as a holder plate, and while the samecould be made in various shapes to suit various conditions, in theembodiment of the invention illustrated it is shown as substantiallyrectangular with rounded corners. Plate 28 has an outer portion 2%extending thereabout and which is disposed in substantially one plane. Abead 20b is formed in portion 26a and pressed outwardly, the sameextending about plate 20 substantially parallel to the edge thereof andbeing substantially semi-circular in transverse cross section. Plate 26is shown as having a plurality of holes 290 extending therethrough andwhile these might be variously disposed they are shown as four in numberand located at the corners of the plate within bead 2922. Within theportion 20a, plate 2!] has an embossed or outwardly pressed portion2lld. While portion 260. might take various forms, in the embodiment ofthe invention illustrated it is shown as substantially rectangular withslightly rounded corners and the sides thereof are parallel to the edgesof plate 20. Portion 20d has narrow side portions 206 between which arenarrow intermediate dividing portions 26f. The bottom of portion 2M isalso of small transverse dimension vertically and said bottom portionhas a top horizontal surface 20g between the portions 2% and 29 in whichis formed a slot 20h which extends vertically through said horizontalportion 26in and transversely thereof, said slot being of less lengththan the distance between the adjacent portions 201 and 20a The top partof embossed portion 20d is shown as of somewhat greater transversedimension vertically than the bottom portion and apertures 207' areformed in plate 26 immediately below said top portions in the spacesbetween portions 26c and 20 The portions of plate 20 between the top andbottom parts of portion 20d and between the adjacent portions 29:: and20 could be designated as panels. These portions 201 are disposed in thesame plane as portion 20a. The lower edge of, the top part of portion28d is pressed outwardly in substantially semi-spherical form so as toconstitute a cup-like projection or socket 20k and each of these islocated preferably in the center of one of said panels. An aperture 20m,shown as of elongated rectangular form, is formed through plate 20 ineach of said panels and said apertures are disposed substantiallycentrally transversely of each panel.

A number of character plates 2! are provided and these will carrycharacters, such as numerals, letters or symbols. In the embodiment ofthe invention illustrated, these plates are shown as carrying numeralsZia, and while these could be variously formed on or attached to theplate, they are shown as being embossed or pressed outwardly therein.E'ach plate 2! is of a width slightly less than the width of one of saidpanels and is of a length greater than the distance between thehorizontal surface 20g and the bottom edge of the top part of portion26d. Each plate 2! is provided at its bottom with a projecting portionor tongue 2 lb shown as having downwardly sloping sides and as being ofconsiderable less Width than the width of said plate. ,Shoulder portions210 are thus formed at the bottom of plate 2| at each side of tongueZlb. Plate 2! adjacent its top edge and preferably centrally thereof isprovided with an embossed or outwardly pressed portion or lug 2 id,shown as substantially semi-spherical in shape.

With the described construction plate 20 can be provided with three ofthe plates 2! and an assembly is produced forming a sign, marker orother designation for the particular object to be marked. Any threedigit number can be produced and any three part combination of letters,numbers or symbols. Plate 2| will have its top portion inserted throughaperture 297' from the front of plate 26 and plate 2| will then be swungtoward plate 263 at its lower portion and brought into positionsubstantially parallel to plate 20. Tongue 2lb will be inserted in theslot 2071. and the shoulders 2 ie will then rest on surface 21in at eachend of slot 20h. The lug 2ld on plate 2| will now fit into the socket20k on plate 20, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. This will prevent liftingor upward movement and removal of. plate 2|. Many automobiles are stolenand the license numbers changed. The lug and socket structure will makeit difiicult to remove and change the numbers. Plate 2| is now nicelydisposed in plate 20 and will be held snugly therein. When the device isthus assembled it can be attached to the article, structure or object tobe marked by being placed thereagainst and held by fastening means. suchas nails or screws inserted through openings 2G0.

In Fig. 9 a plate 25 is shown of elongated rectangular form with roundedcorners and this plate has an outer portion 25a extending thereaboutwhich is disposed in substantially one plane. This portion has a bead25b similar to bead 20b extending thereabout and substantially parallelto the edge of plate 25. Holes 250 for attaching means are formedthrough plate 25 and are shown as disposed at the corners thereof withinbead 25b. Plate 25 has an embossed or outwardly pressed portion 2511within portion 25a, which embossed portion has side parts 25a of narrowtransverse dimension and has bottom and top parts 25f and 259respectively. Portion 25f has a top horizontal surface in which isformed a slot similar to slot 2% already described. An aperture 257' isformed through plate 25 immediately below the portion 25g, whichaperture extends between parts 25e. The bottom part of portion 259 ispressed outwardly to form a semi-spherical cup-like projection 25h. Anaperture 25m, similar to aperture 20m, is shown and this extends throughthe portion 252 of plate 25, which is disposed between portions 25c andbetween top and bottom portions 25 and 25g. The number plate 2i is usedwith plate 25 and it will be inserted and held therein in the samemanner as already described with plate 20. The plate 2-5 can be usedwhere only one numeral, letter or symbol is desired in the device.

In Fig. 10 an elongated plate 28 is shown and this has an outer portion28a extending thereabout and disposed in one plane within which isformed an outwardly projecting bead 28b extending parallel to the edgeof plate 28, which bead is similar to bead 2% already described. Plate28 is also shown as substantially rectangular in form with roundedcorners. An embossed or outwardly pressed portion 280 is formed in plate28 and this has vertically spaced side parts 28d of narrow transversedimension, a bottom part 28e of small transverse dimension vertically, atop part 23 having a transverse dimension vertically somewhat largerthan bottom portion 286. Portion 280 also has spaced horizontallyextending portions 26g. Bottom portion 286 and portions 289 have tophorizontal surfaces 28h in which are formed slots similar to slot 26h.The bottom edge partlofiportions. 28; and ztgarelprovidedlwithoutwardly'pressed semi-spherical projections 281 similar toprojectionsstlctandwith. Plate 28 also has pertures 287' extending.therethrough immediately same. plane as outer portion 28a. P1ate28 isalso provided with holes-2811. at its top andbottom through whichfastening means will extend. Characterplates 2 will be used with plate23 and these willbe inserted in said plate in the same manner asalreadydescribed in connection with plate 20. Plate 28 is used w-here itis-desired or more convenient to have the numerals, letters or symbolsarranged vertical-1y. Such a plate could be used wheira device is usedon poles, such as telegraph or telephone poles, or when some verticallyelongated object is to be marked. There is often not room on buildings,panels and other structures for a wide plate such as plate is.

When the device is 'removed from its support and it is desirable toremove the character plate therefrom, this can be done as illustrated inFigs. 1-1 and 12. The 'clevice can be held in one hand and-characterplate 2| can be pushed upwardly by a tool-or implement 29 held in theother hand of the operator and pressed against the bottom of. tongueZ-ib. When said tongue is moved through slotfZflh or similar slot, theimplement 2-9 can then bein'serted through aperture 25m or a similaraperture and plate 2| pushed-forwardly, as shown in Fig. 12. Plate 2|can then beea'sily withdrawn from openin '2 57' or a similar openingFrom the above description it will be seen that [have provided a simple,improved and highly efiicientLletter, number orsymbol assembly device.

which can be used 'for marking, naming or designating various objects,buildings and other structu'res' and various armies. The device can alsoform an efficient sign. The desired designation can be easily andquickly formed, whether it be oneletter, number or symbol, or aplurality of the same. Obviously various combinations/of letters,numbers and symbols can, be easily formed. When the device is securedagainst the surf-aceof the object, theholder plate fits closely againstthe surface-around its entire edge portion. A tight fit can thus be hadwhich willexclude water, snow, insects, etc.

The present device is an improvement on that shown in applicants PatentNo. 2,342,847, granted February 29, 1944. The present device, as stated,gives a tight fit against the supporting surface and an eflicient sealcan thus be had entirely around the holder plate. The present device isalso of easier manufacture than that shown in the said patent. The beadon the holder plate can be made continuous and this gives a much betterlooking device. It is not necessary to have any opening extend throughthe horizontal portion of the top part of the embossed portion of theholder plate. It will be noted that opening 201 and the correspondingopenings in the other modifications extend only through the part of theholder plate which is in the same plane as the outer portion thereof.The present structure is quite an improvement on that shown in the saidpatent and constitutes a distinct advance in the art.

The device is particularly adapted for automobile license plates, housenumbers, street desigcan be quickly and easily assembled to. give thedesired combination. The characters on the character plates can be.paintedor coated as desired and the surface ofthe holder plate will besuitably painted,- enameled or coated to give a pleasing effect. It willoften be desirable to have'the letter, number or symbol on the characterplate of -a color contrasting to that of the holder plate. The beads29b, 25b and 28b are of greater-height than the embossed portionsso-that water can drip therefrom outwardly of the character plates andembossed portions. The parts of the-device "can beeasily, simply andquickly made and thol'device is admirably suited for mass production.The=device has been amply demonstrated in actual 'practice and found tobe very successful and efiicient.

It will of course be understood that --various changes may be made -inthe 'form,'details arrangement-and proportions of the parts, withoutdeparting froin the scope of applicants invention, which generallystated, consists in a devicec-apable of carrying out the objects abovesetforth, in the parts and-combinations of parts disclosed and definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1'. A number or letter carrying device having in combination, aholderplate having an outer portion extending thereabout disposedsubstantially in one plane, a portion embossed to extend outwardlyWithin said outer portion, 'and'a portion within said embossed portiondisposed subs'tantially in'said "plane so that said embossed portion isof comparatively small transverse dimension the bottom part'o'f saidembossed portion having a substantially horizontal surface with a narrowslot extending transversely thereof and vertically therethrough, saidplate-having an opening 'therethroughadjacent the top of said lastmentioned portion and a rigid character plate of-longer dimension thanthe distance between said top surface and the top of said opening, saidcharacter platebeing off smaller transverse dimension than said openingand-having a tongue at its lower end of less Width than the widththereof thus forming shoulders at the sides of said tongue, saidcharacter plate being adapted to be inserted through said opening at anangle to said holder plate and then moved into substantially parallelrelation to said holder plate and closely adjacent said last mentionedportion and moved downwardly to bring said tongue into position in saidslot with said shoulders supporting said plate on said horizontalsurface and the top of said plate held by the top part of said embossedportion.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, said holder plate having anoutwardly pressed portion adjacent said opening and said character platehaving an outwardly pressed portion adjacent its top adapted to fit insaid last mentioned portion so that said character plate can be disposedin the rear of said last mentioned embossed portion.

3. A number or letter carrying device having in combination, a plate ofgeneral rectangular form having an outer portion extending thereaboutand disposed in substantially one plane, an outwardly embossed portionwithin said outer portion having outer sides substantially parallel tothe sides of paid plate and a third portion within said embossed portiondisposed substantially in said plane and having its sides parallelrespectively to the sides of said plate whereby said embossed portionforms a rectangular frame of comparatively small transverse dimension,said embossed portion having a top horizontal surface at its bottomportion with a narrow slot extending transversely therethrough, saidplate having an opening extending therethrough adjacent the top of saidthird portion, and a rigid character plate of less width than the widthof said opening and of greater length than the distance between saidhorizontal surface and the top of said opening, said character platehaving a tongue formed at its bottom of less width than said characterplate thus forming shoulders at its sides whereby said character platecan be inserted through said opening and then brought into positionsubstantially parallel to said holder plate and substantially againstsaid third portion and said tongue disposed in said slot so that saidcharacter plate is supported on said horizontal surface and its upperend is disposed in the rear of the top part of said embossed portion.

4. A number or letter carrying device having in combination, a holderplate having an outer portion extending thereabout disposedsubstantially in one plane and having a portion embossed to extendoutwardly within said outer portion, said embossed portion having spacedside portions of narrow width and top and bottom portions ofcomparatively small transverse dimension thus leaving a panel portionwithin said embossed portion disposed in substantially the same plane assaid outer portion, said holder plate having an opening therethroughextending across said panel portion adjacent the top thereof, saidbottom portion having a top surface with a narrow slot extendingtherethrough and transversely thereof and a character plate bearing acharacter thereon and of less width than said panel portion and having atongue at its bottom of less Width than said character plate wherebysaid character plate can have its upper end passed through said opening,then moved into position substantially parallel to said holder plate and56 lowered to dispose said tongue in said slot so as to rest on said topsurface and be held in the rear of said top portion of said embossedportion at its upper end and be disposed in said embossed portion abovesaid panel portion.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4, said holder plate having a beadpressed outwardly therefrom in said outer portion extending thereaboutbetween said embossed portion and the edge of said holder plate, saidbead being of greater height than said embossed portion.

6. A number r letter carrying device having in combination, a holderplate having an outer portion extending thereabout disposedsubstantially in one plane and having a portion embossed to extendoutwardly within said outer portion, said embossed portion having spacedside portions of narrow width and top and bottom portions ofcomparatively small transverse dimension, and also having spacedvertically extending portions extending between said top and bottomportions thus leaving panel portions between said side portions andvertically extending portions and between said top and bottom portionsdisposed in substantially the same plane as said outer portion, saidbottom portion having top horizontal surfaces with slots extendingtherethrough and transversely thereof centrally of said panel portions,respectively, said panelportions each having an opening extendingtherethrough throughout the width thereof and adjacent the tops thereofand a character plate for each of said panel portions bearing acharacter thereon and of less width than said panel portion and having atongue at its bottom of less width than said character plate wherebysaid character plate can have its upper end passed through one of saidopenings, then moved into position substantially parallel to said holderplate and substantially against the front of said panel and lowered todispose said tongue in one of said slots so as to rest on said topsurface and be held in the rear of said top portion, or one of saidtransverse portions.

EDWARD A. CROSBY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,547,120 Hamilton July 21, 19252,342,847 Crosby Feb. 29, 1944

